Former England and Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari insists he was not "giving up" when he retired at the age of 25.

Ansari has a glittering academic record and said his decision would only have been a negative act if he had had the talent to be one of the very best.

He said that in his own mind at least he was not, or have not been, a super successful cricketer, and it did not feel like he was giving up something.

Ansari has a double first in politics, philosophy and sociology from Cambridge University, and a master's in history from Royal Holloway, and his academic credentials "massively played a part" in his choice.